On Monday, June 16, 2008 South-Southwest Suburban United Way (S-SW) held its Annual Celebration and Recognition Event. This event, graciously hosted by Sertoma Centre, was an opportunity to acknowledge local donors, volunteers, partner agencies and board members who are dedicated to making the south and southwest suburbs a better place to live and work by advancing the mission of United Way. Partnerships are critical to achieving this and SSW was honored by the presence of regional partners such as Mayor Rick Reinbold, Village of Richton Park, Lisa Zeigler, President & CEO, Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce and Larry Lyman, Chairman, Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce. 

United Way is proud to be an organization that is led by volunteers.  Gretchen Hannan, of Olympia Fields was honored as a diamond donor who has contributed to United Way for over 25 years. “I have been associated with United Way since the 70’s,” said Gretchen Hannan, “Indeed it’s been a pleasure.”

Also recognized were devoted volunteers such as the Arab American Family Services, whose mission is to enhance the lives of the Arab-American community through educational programs; Arab American Family Services has partnered with United Ways in countless ways over the past year. 

Because of the generosity of local donors like Gretchen, United Way is able to invest $3 million in a wide range of health and human services programs.  By partnering with health and human service agencies throughout the region and corporate supporters, United Way is working to provide the leadership and resources it takes to make long-lasting change so that people can improve their lives, advancing the common good.     

Chief Professional Officer, Lisa Bly proudly announced the South-Southwest Suburban United Way Board of Directors for 2008-2009. ”This enthusiastic group of volunteers will lead S-SW into its Journey to Community Impact, which focuses on the three building blocks of independence-Income, Education and Health,” said Bly. 

2008-2009 Board of Directors

Vernard Alsberry

Board President

William Bates

Co-Chair, Community Impact

Dennis Canalini

VP, Nominating & Board Development

Dorothy Foster

Co-Chair, Community Impact

John Hrisney

Treasurer

Edward Moran

President-Elect

Earlene Spearmon-Coffey

Secretary

Mike Veronie

VP, Finance

Kitty Watson

VP, Resource Development

Dorothy Armstrong

Jennifer Artis

Hilary Burkinshaw

Maria T. Crews

Peggy Hrindak

Elliott H. Johnson

Tom McCarty

Mike Olson

Patrick Sanchez

Rita Taylor-Nash

Ana Tristan

Ben Voliva

Darice Wright

Nicole Lee Zahara

“Our annual campaign could not be a success without the support of our community partners.  Despite the economic downturn, our top corporate citizens represent companies and their employees who generously support United Way to improve lives and strengthen our community,” said Bly.

South-Southwest Suburban United Way Top Corporate Citizens are:

Park National Bank and their charitable employees who live and work in the south-southwest suburban region

Palos Community Hospital - Palos Heights, IL

Yellow Transportation, Inc. - Chicago Ridge, IL

Carson Pirie Scott – Evergreen Park, IL

Aileen S. Andrew Foundation - Orland Park, IL

Allied Tube Conduit - Harvey, IL

Carson Pirie Scott – Matteson, IL

Costco – Orland Park, IL

Carson Pirie Scott – Chicago Ridge, IL

Martin Oil Marketing - Alsip, IL

Mi-Jack Products, Inc. - Hazel Crest, IL

Cargill Industrial Oils & Lubricants

Ingalls Memorial Hospital - Harvey, IL

Advocate Christ Medical Center - Oak Lawn, IL

Costco – Bedford Park, IL

Target – Bedford Park, IL

Target – Oak Lawn, IL

Continental Midland - Park Forest, IL

Carson Pirie Scott – Orland Square, IL

Target – Tinley Park, IL

Prairie State College - Chicago Heights, IL

South-Southwest Suburban United Way serves the communities of

Alsip                              Country Club Hills                               Glenwood                        Midlothian                          Park Forest                              Summit

Argo                                 Crestwood                                               Harvey                                Nottingham Park           Phoenix                                    Thornton

Bedford Park              Crete                                                           Hazel Crest                     Oak Forest                           Posen                                         Tinley Park

Blue Island                  Dixmoor                                                    Hickory Hills                   Oak Lawn                               Richton Park               University Park

Bridgeview                   Dolton                                                        Hometown                      Olympia Fields                    Riverdale                                  Worth

Burbank                          East Hazel Crest                                  Homewood                     Orland Hills                           Robbins

Calumet City               Evergreen Park                                    Justice                                Orland Park                           Sauk Village

Calumet Park              Flossmoor                                                Lynwood                           Palos Heights                      South Chicago Heights

Chicago Heights           Ford Heights                                          Markham                         Palos Hills                           South Holland

Chicago Ridge                Garden Homes                                     Matteson                         Palos Park                            Steger

United Way provides the leadership and resources it takes to help people overcome life’s challenges and achieve self-sufficiency. It works to understand the needs in the South-Southwest Suburban area, and then funds a network of programs to address those needs. United Way holds itself and its partner programs accountable for delivering results-to ensure that your contributions make the greatest impact possible.

On Tuesday, May 20, 2008, St. James Hospital & Health Centers in Chicago Heights hosted over 40 health and human services United Way partner agencies for breakfast. The meeting was an opportunity for agencies to discuss regional partnership opportunities related to criticial issues areas as United Way transitions to community impact.

“When we talk about community impact, our partnerships are going to expand as we begin to address issues that face our region. This open dialogue was an opportunity to discuss new ways to partner with schools, corporations, local government and other community organizations as we begin to think about what ways we can impact an issue and get it turned around, “Lisa Bly, Chief Professional Officer, S-SW Suburban United Way. “We are looking forward to working together to improve lives in this region.”

United Way provides the leadership and resources it takes to help people overcome life’s challenges and achieve self-sufficiency. It works to understand the needs in the South-Southwest Suburban area, and then funds a network of programs to address those needs. United Way holds itself and its partner programs accountable for delivering results-to ensure that your contributions make the greatest impact possible.

Supporting United Way is the most effective way to improve lives and strengthen our community.

On May 23, 2008, South-Southwest Suburban United Way participated in the 2nd Annual Scholarship Golf Outing hosted by the Dolton Chamber of Commerce and the Dolton Park District.  The event was an effort to offset the rising costs of education and reductions in federal financial aid for graduating seniors.  “The right collaborations and joint efforts, such as ours, are key to addressing critical financial issues with families in need.”  said Lonette Hall, Executive Director, Dolton Park District.

Thanks to the generosity of golfers, event hosts and Nicor Gas who shared a hole with United Way, S-SW Suburban UW was able to raise funds to provide resources it takes to help people overcome life’s challenges and achieve self-sufficiency.  It works to understand the needs in the South-Southwest Suburban area, and then fund a network of programs to address those needs.  United Way holds itself and its partner programs accountable for delivering results - to ensure that donor contribution make the greatest impact possible. 

Supporting United Way is more effective way to improve lives and strengthen our community.